Research Ethics

Research Ethics
Ethical concerns include what the researcher should or
should not do. There may be ethical dilemmas. Some
studies require ethical approval by the relevant
governing body.
– Professional conduct – professional conduct of self and of the
research interactions, respect for participants
– Informed consent – do not study people without their consent
– Anonymity – names or other information that will disclose who the
participants are not used
– Privacy and confidentiality – safeguard confidential information
– Duty to protect/warn
– Duty to care
• Note that there is also a freedom of information act
 Informed Consent
• A participant’s ability to give consent which is free
from any form of pressure (real or implied) arising
from this unequal power relationship should not be
compromised.

• Therefore, where possible, researchers are not to

choose participants where there is a dependent
relationship. For instance, teacher/student
doctor/patient. If, after due consideration, the
investigator believes that research involving people
in dependent relationships is purposeful and
methodologically defensible, They will also need to
be reassured that refusal to participate will not result
in any discrimination or penalty.
 Confidentiality
• Participants need to be aware that
confidentiality of information provided can
only be protected within the limitations of
the law - i.e., it is possible for data to be
subject to subpoena, freedom of
information claim or mandated reporting
by some professions. Depending on the
research proposal you may need to
specifically state these limitations.
 Risks to participants and
researchers
POTENTIAL RISK TO PARTICIPANTS need to
recognized and avoided. Identify, as far as
possible, all potential risks to participants
(e.g. physical, psychological, social, legal or
economic etc.), associated with the proposed
research.
Please explain what risk management
procedures will be put in place (if
unavoidable)
Potential benefits should outweigh any potential
risks
 Some specific ethical principles
• Complete anonymity of participants (i.e., researchers will not know the
identity of participants as participants are part of a random sample and
are required to return responses with no form of personal identification).

• Anonymised samples or data (i.e., an irreversible process whereby

identifiers are removed from data and replaced by a code, with no record
retained of how the code relates to the identifiers. It is then impossible to
identify the individual to whom the sample of information relates)

• De-identified samples or data (i.e., a reversible process in which the

identifiers are removed and replaced by a code. Those handling the data
subsequently do so using the code. If necessary, it is possible to link the
code to the original identifiers and identify the individual to whom the
sample or information relates)

• Participants being referred to by pseudonyms in any publication arising

from the research